Man arrested after attempted kidnapping

Salvador Perez, 35, of Seaside, has been arrested as a suspect in an attempted kidnapping on Friday, according to Seaside Police.

At approximately 1:45 p.m., police were called to Church’s Chicken after witnesses reported a man had attempted to abduct a child from inside the business. A detailed description was provided to police and officers found the suspect, Salvador Perez, on the 400 block of Elm Avenue.

Perez was loitering around Church’s Chicken and approached a family having lunch, according to a press release. He approached a 3-year-old girl and stood over her in an aggressive manner and was interrupted by a parent. Perez then focused on a 10-year-old boy ordering food at the register with his aunt. He grasped the boy and attempted to drag him out of the business. A Good Samaritan tackled Perez, a brief struggle ensued and Perez was able to escape before being arrested later by police.

The motive for the attempted abduction is unclear at this time and it does not appear there is any relation between Perez and the children. The two children were not together and neither family knew Perez. Perez was arrested on suspicion of felony attempted kidnapping and was booked into Monterey County Jail.

Anyone with information regarding this case or other suspicious activity is asked to contact the Seaside Police Department: Anonymous tip line, 831-899-6282; Seaside PD, 831-899-6748; non-emergency dispatch, 831-394-6811. You may also leave a tip on the department tip website at http://www.tipsoft.com/index.asp?P=WebTips